NINA
I knew I had to give her some time to think. I knew Zira was strong, she just had to believe it for herself. That was something I couldn't do for her. I slowly started to regain my conscience, hearing hushed conversations over the familiar sounds of beeping.
A bright light blurred my vision and I had to blink a few times to see I was in a room. The sun broke through a small window with enough room to shine off the white walls.
“Go tell the Alpha she's awake,” someone said as I turned my head in that direction.
I watched as someone ran out the door and an elderly lady walked over to my bed. She was slow and used a cane to move. Her face looked extremely smooth-with very little wrinkles. She stared down at me with a smile on her face-creating little wrinkles around the edge of her mouth. Her eyes seemed as if they were closed when she smiled. It would have been endearing if I wasn’t so suspicious.
"How are you feeling darlin'," she asked.
I didn't answer her. Instead, I looked around at my new surroundings. From the machines and the smell of cleaning supplies, I could tell we were in a hospital. I tried to remember how I got here. The older woman touched my forehead and I glared at her, but she continued her examination. The moment she touched my stomach, I growled at her.
"Oh stop that noise," she swatted at me. " If something bad was going to happen to you it would've happened by now."
She continued with my examination. "Your body temperature is finally back to normal, so that's good for you and the baby-who seems to be happy you’re up now."
I placed my hands around my stomach and felt a few strong kicks from him. You feel that, Zira. If he can be strong for us-we can at least return the favor.
She didn't answer but I knew she heard me. I wasn't too worried about her coming around. If my suspicion was correct, there was one person here who could help with that.
“Come, let's get you in an upright position,” the elderly woman said, moving every one of my limbs-giving them life.
I wasn’t sure what she was doing but I felt a bit energized with every touch. I took in her scent and realized she wasn’t a wolf. She was something I'd never encountered before. She smelled sweet and bright but still from the forest.
After a few minutes of moving around, I was able to sit up on my own. The elderly woman brought me a cup of hot liquid. It smelled so good but I was still suspicious about it.
“Just drink it, dearie. It’ll make you feel better. Go on, go on,” she rushed me.
I took a sip at first, then immediately drank the whole thing-not caring if it burned all the way down. How could something taste so wonderful? I held the cup out for more but the woman placed the cup on the counter behind her.
“More please,” I croaked out. It had been awhile since I talked and my throat was still a bit raw.
“That would not be wise,” the elderly woman said. “That’s wild blue mushroom tea. It has great healing properties with the right amount, but is highly addictive. Too much can be deadly.”
I knew she was giving me a warning but my brain didn't want to process what she was saying. All I knew was that I wanted more and if she wasn't going to help me, I would get it myself.
I gripped the edge of the bed and tried to stand on my feet. The moment I stood up, my legs gave way and I fell to the floor-only to have a pair of arms catch me just in time.
I looked at my rescuer and found the most alluring green eyes I'd ever seen. He stared down at me with a crease in his brow like he was worried. I remembered those eyes in the forest-
In my dreams Zira echoed. Could he be-
The man helped me back to the bed and before he could step back, I grabbed his collar and pulled him in. I planted my nose in the crook of his neck and took a deep whiff of his scent. He didn't object and stayed still in my grip. Zira would’ve appreciated a softer approach, but I needed answers. If she thought he was our mate, his scent would give it up, but…
His scent…is…normal.
Zira sighed. Then we were mistaken. Besides, they were just dreams, right?
No. Something’s not right here, Zira.
I didn’t want to believe her. True, I would instantly know if he was my mate by his scent, but something had to be off. This couldn’t have been the same man that found me by the river. Even his touch did nothing for me.
“Can I have my neck back, now?”
I realized I still had him hostage and quickly let him go, especially since we had an audience in the doorway. I quickly released his collar as heat began to rise to my cheeks, mostly from Zira.
“I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else.”
“I get that a lot,” the man smiled as he straightened his clothes, “Are you okay?”
I could only nod my head. There was something about him that made me speechless, but I couldn’t figure it out. If he wasn't my mate, then we had to be connected somehow. He was staring at me and I was caught. His green eyes glowed like neon and for a minute they flickered from green to gray. I could see myself staring at them all day. Just the thought made me feel a warmth I haven’t felt in awhile. This had to be from Zira. I could feel her moving forward.
Someone cleared their throat behind him and he shook his head as if to get rid of some thoughts. Maybe he was thinking the same as me. We’re connected. I just know it. He smiled at me when he noticed I was still staring. I looked away from him feeling a bit embarrassed and I didn't like feeling embarrassed, especially in front of strangers.
He must’ve noticed because he immediately excused himself from the room. It was quite a sudden departure but I tried not to think much about it. I pretty much assaulted him earlier, so I didn’t blame him. I stared after him until the door closed behind him. The moment he left, I felt a bit irritated, like he was deserting me.
“Well that was awkward,” one of the women said with a laugh.
My eyes immediately went to the lady with the pink hair and fluorescent colors-from her dress to her stocking to her shoes. It looked as if someone took a bunch of paint and threw it on her.
Still, she had beautiful, delicate features with red rosy cheeks, big blue eyes, and a smile that decorated her soft pink lips. Her aura seemed to sparkle like there was glitter in the air.
The woman next to her was probably the tallest woman I’ve ever seen. She stood only a few inches shorter than the doorway. She was a complete opposite of her friend. Her black hair was pulled back into a neatly packed bun showing off her high cheekbones and square jaw-line.
Her face was completely void of make-up and her calculating light blue eyes almost reminded me of Alaia. She was wearing dark blue pants with a matching vest and a deep red buttoned-up underneath. I could feel from her aura that she was of high rank in this pack. I wondered how high.
“We are so happy you’re finally awake,” the colorful one said while running over to give me a hug, “It’s been almost two weeks since you died on us, but this fella just couldn’t let you go. You have one powerful healer in there.”
WE WERE DEAD!!! Zira screamed in my head.
Calm down, Miss Dramatic. We’re alive now and that matters more.
“You’ve been in a mini-coma since then. We started calling you sleeping beauty and-"
“Speak for yourself,” said the tall woman in the corner. She crossed her arms, looking me up and down as if I was a threat. I saw her nose flare out a bit, picking up my scent. She shook her head as if she was answering something before staring back at me. “Where’s your human, wolf?”
I didn't like her tone. I could feel a growl rumbling in my chest before the pink-haired girl touched my shoulder.
“Sweets, I prefer you not to yell at a pregnant she-wolf. She doesn’t need stress at a time like this,” the pink-haired woman scolded the other woman-who huffed at her. She turned back to me. “Don’t mind her. She’s like that with all the newcomers. I’m Trixie and you are?”
“You’re not a wolf,” I said to her, trying to take the attention off me.
“No, I’m not. I’m a fairy,” she giggled, “and that brute over there is Alpha Fiona. She is a wolf and my mate. Now it’s your turn.”
I wasn’t well-versed with humans but there was something about her that made me feel like I could tell her everything. Something flickered in her eyes and I felt myself smile. What the hell? I don’t smile. I started to move away from her, thinking she was hexing me.
“Don’t be frightened. That feeling is from the tea. It has healing powers but can be a hallucinogen for people not used to it. Just breathe through it.”
Trixie helped me through some breathing exercises to calm me down. I didn’t even realize my heart was elevated. Still, I was craving some tea.
“I am Nina and my human is Zira. She is afraid to come out.”
“Well, that’s not going to be good for the baby. To give birth she needs to be out. Regardless of your bond, this is her body,” the elderly woman said.
“Miss Emma is right. I can tell you’ve been through quite an ordeal but we’re not out of the woods yet,” Trixie said, touching my stomach. “I can feel him and he’s ready to come out, which means she has to be too.”
You hear that, Zira. There’s no more being afraid. You have to come out. Do it for him.
Still she was quiet but I could feel her nervousness and I totally understood. With everything that has happened, she felt too weak to bring this baby to term, but there was no way I was giving up. Hopefully, it’ll be enough for her to believe in herself.
“So,” Trixie started, “Is there anything we need to know to make sure this delivery is successful?”
Her eyes bore into mine and I swear I felt she was using magic on me. Faeries are known to be mischievous little creatures. I've never met one in person, but Zira has read enough books on them. I don’t how she was hexing me but I knew I didn’t like it, especially after what we'd been through. She must have registered the look on my face because she started to laugh while holding her hands up.
“I promise I’m not trying to trick you, Nina. I just want to make sure my staff is prepared for any surprises.”
Just tell her, Nina, Zira said. Maybe there is something here that could make us stronger.
No! You come out and you tell them. I’ve done enough talking to last me a lifetime.
Nina, I-
No more Zira! If you are so unsure about our future then I want to be in my own body. I’m starting to forget what fur feels like.
Fine, she yelled, pushing me back in her mind. I hope you're happy now.
Immensely I purred.
I started to prance around feeling happy again, to be me again. I watched as Zira looked at everyone in the room. She took a few calculated breaths before turning to Trixie.
“It’s a long story and it started at a party…”
Zira began telling the story of how we got here, changing the names of the people involved. I knew she didn’t want them to ask questions about the pack or why she left-got kicked out by the Luna.
“Wow, Zira. That’s horrible. I’m so sorry,” Trixie said, grabbing my hand.
“Well, now I’m just hoping I have the strength to have this baby.”
“Oh honey you will. I can feel it. You have a strong spirit and nothing is going to scare you.”
At that moment, I felt a sharp pain as Zira screamed. It lasted for a few seconds before Zira realized the bed was wet. This should be fun.